Life-saving station for mines.



P. A. HOSKINS.

LIFE SAVING STATION FOR MINES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 4, 1913.

Patented May 5, 1914.

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P. A. HOSKINS.

LIFE SAVING STATION FOR MINES.

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FREDERICK A. HOSKINS, 0F DUBUQUE, IOWA.

LIFE-SAVING STATION FOR MINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 4, 1913.

Patented May 5, 1914. Serial No. 771,716.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK A. Hos- KINS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dubuque, in the county of Dubuque and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Life-Saving Stations for Mines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention comprehends improvements in life saving stations for mines and has for its primary object the provision of a place of shelter within mines into which miners may look themselves when threatened by danger from fire, water, or any other cause.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a life saving station of the character described and means whereby fresh air, food, and water may be provided for those imprisoned within the station.

It is well known that many lives which are lost in mine disasters could be saved if the mines were equipped with stations wherein the miners would be protected from the danger until rescuing parties could reach them.

My invention aims to provide a suitable room or station which may be formed within a mine and which is of such construction as to fully protect any one from all dangers which are incidental to mines.

With these and other objects in view, as will become more apparent as the description proceeds, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter described and claimed.

For a complete understanding of my invention, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure l is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through my life saving station, showing the same positioned within a mine, Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the plane of line 22 of Fig. 1, and, Fig. 3 is an end elevation.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention, I provide a double walled compartment or station generally designated 5, which may be located at any suitable place within a mine. The station is formed by the top walls 6, vertical side walls 7, end walls 8, and a bottom 9 of concrete or other suitable material. Entrance may be had to the station 5 through the inwardly opening doors 10 which, when closed, form air tight contact with the door frame.

A plurality of drill holes 11, 12, 13 and 14 extend upwardly from the mine chamber to the surface of the ground and may be lined with pipes 15 which open at their lower ends into the station.

In order that those Within the chamber may be assured of an unfailing water supply, I provide a water pipe 16 which extends downwardly through the drill hole 14 and which connects to the pipe 17. This plpe is in communication at its lower end with a longitudinal pipe 18 which extends longitudinally through the life saving station adjacent one side thereof and which is continued through and beyond the end walls. A stand pipe 18 is positioned vertically within the station, extends through the top thereof and is formed with an opening or port 19 which opens between the top walls of said station. The stand pipe is supplied with water by means of the pipes 20 and 21, clearly shown in Fig. 2. The vertical pipe 20 communicates at its lower end with the horizontal water pipe 18. A pipe 22 is connected to the stand pipe, extends longitudinally above the station on the exterior thereof, and is connected to spraying pipes 23 which extend transversely over the door ways on the exterior thereof. A discharge pipe 241: permits water to flow from between the walls of the station into the pipe 18 between the valve 25 and the end wall. Water may also be supplied to the pipe 18 by means of the pipe 26 which is adapted to extend up the mine shaft. A U-shaped pipe 27 is connected to the pipe 18 upon the exterior of the station at the points indicated by the numerals 28 and 29.

Then persons within the life saving station are threatened by a fire the station may be cooled by allowing water to circulate between the walls thereof, entering through the opening 19 and discharging through the pipe 24. Simultaneous with this circulation of water between the walls, sprays are also directed upon the door 10 which might otherwise become overheated. The valves 30 control the flow of water through the various water conducting pipes.

F or the purpose of supplying the chamber with fresh air, I provide a pipe 31 which extends downwardly through the drill hole 13 and which is in communication with the horizontal air pipe 32. Air may be dis charged into'the station through the pipes which are of a relatively short length. Pipes 34- extend from the pipe 32 into certain of the pipes 1-5 and assist in maintaining a thorough circulation within the station. Suitable valves 35 and 36 are secured to the air pipes for the purpose of controlling the flow of air therethrough. If desired, air may also be supplied to the pipe 32 by means of the pipe 37 which extends up the mine shaft.

Food may be conveyed to the persons within the station by means of a receptacle 38 which is adapted to be raised and lowered through the drill hole 12.

The station may be electrically lighted, as shown, and is also equipped with a telephone 39 and an electric bell.

A0 is an electric push button whereby a circuit may be closed to send a signal to the surface.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that I have provided a life saving station which may be constructed within a mine and which is of such a nature and so equipped as to insure the safety of the miners who have gathered there to escape some danger.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that minor changes in the construction of the station and its equipment, may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. A life saving station comprising a double walled room, doors whereby entrance into and from the room is permitted, a water conducting pipe extending through the compartinent, a stand pipe fed by said conducting pipe and extending through the top of the compartment, said stand pipe being formed with an opening through which water may be discharged between the compartment walls, and a pipe leading from between the compartment walls to the first mentioned pipe.

2. A safety station for mines comprising a double walled compartment, doors for said compartment, means for causing a circulation of water between the walls of the compartinent, and means for spraying water upon the exterior of the doors.

3. A safety station for mines, including a double walled compartment, a water supply pipe, a stand pipe having a discharge port opening between the walls of said compartinent, whereby water may flow therebetween and means for withdrawing water from between the walls of the compartment.

4:. A safety station for mines, including a compartment, doors for said compartment, a feed water pipe, a stand pipe connected with said first mentioned pipe, and means connected with the stand pipe whereby water may be sprayed upon the exterior of the doors.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FREDERICK A. HOSKINS.

Witnesses F. W. CoA'rns, J osnrrr T. LOGEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

